a world of café stories

The Grumpy Cyclist, Kuala Lumpur

By KENNY MAH and CK LIM

Fancy taking a shower at a café? You can do that after a ride at The Grumpy Cyclist, a space for cycling enthusiasts and coffee lovers alike. The fitness vibes of Taman Tun Dr Ismail with its parks and running trails provide the right ambiance; there’s even a bicycle “spa” here for you to work on your wheels!

The Grumpy Cyclist is the brainchild of avid road cyclist Alex Iskander Liew. He says, “When I cycled in Europe, I stopped by a lot of cafés in small towns. Meeting other cyclists and having cups of coffee together before continuing with my ride was a good way to learn more about the place, people and culture.”

So when Liew returned to Malaysia after working in London and Australia, he set out to open a cycle café that is not just restricted to cycling enthusiasts, but also for those who are interested to learn more but afraid to ask.

Since opening late last year, The Grumpy Cyclist has seen its community of regulars grow to include runners and triathletes, especially during weekends. Some families bring their children along so they can start the young ones on cycling as bicycles are also sold on order. This might be the healthiest café in town yet!